[Mental Health]Anxiety Explained: 5 Ways "This Too Shall Pass" Can Ease 21st Century Stress - TW-THIN

Anxiety feels like it lasts forever—until it doesn't. That's the truth behind one timeless phrase that’s quietly saving lives. "This too shall pass" isn’t just poetic—it’s psychological armor. In a world brimming with triggers, from climate fear to job insecurity, this small sentence has become a mental survival tool. Let's dive deep into the science, history, and real-world magic of this phrase—and why it's more powerful than you think.

What Is Anxiety?

Anxiety, at its core, is a survival mechanism. Imagine a deer sensing danger in the woods—its heart races, its muscles tighten, and it stands alert. That’s anxiety doing its job. In modern humans, anxiety works similarly. It’s a state of heightened alertness that arises when we perceive a threat, whether it's an approaching deadline, a social encounter, or existential dread. It's wired deep in our biology to keep us safe.

Healthy anxiety sharpens our focus and improves performance. Think of the butterflies before a speech—they push you to prepare, to care, to perform. But when that same sensation escalates—when anxiety lingers, grows, and starts disrupting sleep, digestion, or social life—it transforms into a disorder. That’s when we’re in the territory of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, and Specific Phobias.

What makes anxiety particularly tricky is its duality. It’s both protector and saboteur. One moment it helps us swerve a car, and the next, it convinces us we’re failures before we even try. And that’s why understanding its nature matters so deeply in the world we live in.

Adaptive and Maladaptive Functions of Anxiety

Not all anxiety is bad. In fact, some of it is downright essential. Adaptive anxiety is the internal nudge that says, “Hey, maybe don’t walk down that dark alley.” It’s the physiological prompt that heightens your awareness during a job interview or exam. Historically, it helped humans survive predators and natural disasters. That’s the good kind of anxiety—motivating, enhancing, protective.

But then there’s the flip side. When anxiety becomes chronic or disproportionate, it shifts into something harmful. Maladaptive anxiety distorts reality. It whispers worst-case scenarios, releases cortisol in unhealthy bursts, and turns minor setbacks into existential threats. Over time, this can manifest as insomnia, digestive issues, cardiovascular strain, and even depression.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) identifies these distortions—like catastrophizing or mind reading—and trains us to reframe them. The aim isn’t to eliminate anxiety, but to bring it back into balance, to remind it of its job: alert, not alarm.

Anxiety Prevalence by Country

• South Korea: In youth, lifetime prevalence reaches 9.6%. Adults show a 12-month rate of 3.1%, and lifetime rate of 9.3%. Women are nearly twice as likely to be affected.
• United States: 12-month prevalence sits at 19.1%. Lifetime prevalence? A staggering 31.1%. Adolescents show similar trends, especially girls.
• Japan: Lifetime prevalence for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is 2.6%, lower than global averages. But cultural stressors like overwork and social withdrawal compound the problem.
• Portugal & Iran: Countries with the highest age-standardized rates globally. Portugal leads at 1,602 cases per 100,000 people.
• Afghanistan: Gallup reported 80% of Afghans experience daily worry, and 74% feel daily stress—highest on the planet.

The Origin and Meaning of "This Too Shall Pass"

Legend has it that King Solomon once commissioned a ring that would help his father, King David, stay humble during victory and strong during despair. Etched into that ring were the words: "This too shall pass." It’s a phrase that speaks directly to the human condition—that no feeling, no situation, no triumph or tragedy is permanent.

Interestingly, the Hebrew origin doesn’t specify what “this” is. That ambiguity is its genius. Whether you’re elated or devastated, the message is clear: nothing lasts. And while that might sound pessimistic to some, it’s also deeply comforting. The pain you're in right now? Temporary. The joy you're feeling? Fleeting. But that’s what gives life rhythm and texture.

The phrase became a cornerstone of modern psychological resilience. It serves not only as a mantra but as a powerful anchor, reminding us to step back from emotional extremes and ground ourselves in perspective. It’s mindfulness in six syllables.

Emotional and Cognitive Impact of the Phrase

"This too shall pass" does something remarkable to the anxious brain. First, it interrupts cognitive distortions—like catastrophizing or black-and-white thinking. It reframes a panic attack as “just a moment,” or a bad day as “not forever.” In CBT terms, this is called cognitive restructuring. And it’s scientifically proven to reduce cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone.

Then there’s the emotional benefit. By acknowledging that all feelings are temporary, you create emotional distance. You’re no longer trapped in the center of the storm—you’re observing the weather from the safety of shelter. This gives you clarity, perspective, and a surprising amount of relief.

Multiple mindfulness and meditation studies reinforce this effect. When combined with breathwork and repetition, phrases like “this too shall pass” slow the heart rate and regulate breathing, creating measurable physiological calm. It’s not magic. It’s neuroscience.

How to Apply "This Too Shall Pass" in Daily Life

• Breathwork + Phrase: During anxious moments, inhale deeply while mentally repeating "this too..." and exhale slowly on "shall pass." This rhythm links language to the nervous system.
• Mirror Talk: Affirm the phrase out loud in the mirror each morning. This daily ritual reinforces self-efficacy and reduces automatic negative thoughts.
• Journal It: Write down stressful events alongside “this too shall pass.” Over time, you’ll notice patterns and evidence that your brain’s worst fears rarely materialize.
• Mindful Walks: Take short walks while softly repeating the phrase. Moving your body while focusing on rhythm and breath amplifies grounding.

Life doesn’t offer immunity from pain—but it does offer perspective. And sometimes, all we need is six simple syllables to remind ourselves that we’re not stuck, we’re just passing through. If you’ve ever been overwhelmed by anxiety, remember: you are not broken, and you are not alone. Try breathing deeply, whispering those words, and watching your mind soften—just a little. This too shall pass, and so will everything else that hurts right now.

At my church, the pastor instructs us at the beginning of the sermon to say to one another, "It will go well."

"This Too Shall Pass", "It will go well."

Related Resources

• NIMH: Anxiety Disorder Statistics
• Mindful.org: Getting Started with Meditation
• YouTube – The Power of “This Too Shall Pass” | Jay Shetty
• Journal of Health Informatics and Society